Embodied existence: Description and meaning of memorial tattoos in mothers experiencing perinatal and neonatal loss

Grieving the loss of a pregnancy or a newborn involves deep and complex pain and entails certain particularities that make it different from other forms of grief. This study explores the role of memorial tattoos in the grieving process of mothers who have experienced perinatal and neonatal loss within the context of Spanish culture. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, testimonies were collected from 108 grieving mothers and analyzed through content analysis. Tattoo descriptions revealed three categories: Transcendent, Earthly and Eternal. Regarding meaning, six categories were identified: Visibilizing, Caressing the Memory, Creating a Sense of Permanence, Keeping the Baby Close, Drawing the Process and Searching for Meaning in Transcendence. Similarities with previous studies are discussed, and new categories are offered to deepen understanding of grief among these mothers. All categories converge on the idea of an Embodied Existence. Through touch, the tattoo provides comfort, symbolizing a lasting bond with the child.